A site set up to inform all port employees new and relevant Unite union messages. Please feel free to comment on posts or use the links to email me.
Unite is the union for The Port of Felixstowe formerly known as Transport and general workers union or T & G.

Thursday, 13 November 2008

Lives at risk as shippers flout safe container stowage

SPOT checks on containers to be shipped from the UK are uncovering a huge number of deficiencies and documentary errors that could threaten the lives of those handling the cargo. Maritime and Coastguard Agency officials who are required to conduct random inspections are reporting a very high failure rate. On average, half of all containerised cargoes examined are found to be substandard in one way or another. That is an improvement on the 100% failure rate that the MCA was regularly reporting a few years ago, but even now there are occasions when every single container pulled over for a check is non-compliant and unable to proceed with its voyage until the contents have been stowed correctly, accurately weighed, and properly declared.

“They are gambling with someone else’s life,” accused Clive Savigar, director of Coleshill Freight Services, as he listed example after example of cargo that had not been properly packed and secured, or correctly documented. Every error could have resulted in injury, or even death, to a truck driver, dockworker, seafarer or receiver who came in close proximity to the container and its contents. Maersk Line suffers an average of 10 to 15 container units a week that are leaking, of which about five involve hazardous cargoes, revealed John Leach, the company’s general manager for global dangerous cargo and special cargo management.

About Me

My name is Andy Hussey. I have worked for the Port of Felixstowe for over five years. I started in warehousing and am now employed as a tug driver on Trinity.
Why did I apply for the position of workforce rep, and why am I standing as senior shop steward?
In the past I felt that the union was missing a link between them and the people that mattered. I feel passionately about keeping my work mates informed about union and health & safety matters. After getting the position of workforce rep I started this blog site. I use this as another tool for keeping port employees informed.
What do I plan to bring to the role of shop steward?
I aim to have a good working relationship with both management and workforce. I will continue to keep all divisions up to date on union and Health & safety matters through visiting the mess room and keeping the blog up to date.
I will carry on being honest and open, if I can’t answer your questions straight away I will do my best to get back to you.
I intend to bring the union at the Port of Felixstowe into the 21st century with the aid of my blogsite and email contact with the workforce.